us to travel north either
to Egypt, or to Berber and thence to Suakim. They will be on the watch
for us everywhere. Our best plan will be to make for Massowah."

"Well, sheik, you have heard that Ben Ibyn has agreed to deliver us at
one of the ports for a handsome reward. He knows that Englishmen's words
can be relied upon, and that there is no fear of his not getting the
amount promised him. My brother and I agree to give you an equal sum to
that which he will receive there."

"He has not told me the sum," El Bakhat said.

"Tell him the terms, Ben Ibyn," Rupert put in. "Not of course those you
have already received for your expenses, but the sum that is to be paid
you when you arrive at a port."

The sheik repeated the terms to El Bakhat, who at once expressed himself
as perfectly satisfied with them.

"The English are rich and generous," he said. "El Bakhat will do his
best to take them where they wish to go."

"Are you thinking of travelling with all this train?" Rupert asked Ben
Ibyn.

"No, there is no occasion to do so. I have friends at a village on the
Nile, and there my followers and their camels will remain, and El
Bakhat's wife and child will remain with them also. We four will then
travel on alone, taking with us Yussuf to cook for us and look after the
camels. We shall separate from the others at once, as it will be much
safer to travel in two small parties. There will be no fear as to their
safety, as they will take my regular permit to trade, and no one will
connect them in any way with El Bakhat. You and your brother will ride
the heiries. I have a half-bred camel that will carry me well, although
it will not compare in speed with yours. El Bakhat's camel is also a
good one. If we are pursued, we have agreed that our best plan will be
to turn off and find a hiding-place, and for you to push on alone. On
those camels you may defy pursuit. If pushed they will travel a hundred
and fifty miles a day. When you get to Massowah you will wait until we
join you there. We are content to trust to your word. Still we hope that
we may keep together; for although your brother now speaks Arabic so
well that he could pass as a native in casual conversation, it is better
that we should be together, in which case it will be we who will do the
talking."

"Have you two heiries?" Edgar asked Rupert.

"They are not quite full bred. It is very rare to meet with them, and
the price is extremely high; but these are ne